2~8

Eira stood in the empty ballroom as time unfroze, the only sound the soft murmur of nobles regaining their bearings. Eira gazed at the spot where her brother Julian simply vanished during his first moments publicly as Duke, leaving behind his child Athan - and a sea of concerned perplexed faces.

Julian wasn't the only one who had disappeared, but his wife Zefeni had as well. Grave concern grew further as both the Duke and Duchess vanished without a trace. Eira's gaze lowered to her daughter, and to Athan. Without realizing it, one tear fell over the sleeping children, then another...

"Selfish... so, unbelievably selfish..."

The echo of Eira's voice faded into the vast emptiness of the dispersing ballroom, her words a whispering indictment against the silent, opulent surroundings. Cordelia, the head mistress of Ad Laera approached. Her red gaze met her son Halston, then Eira with concern. The fairy red wings fluttered matching her concern.

"Let us head back to the academy, there isn't much we can do here now."

Cordelia instructed, keeping it down to the point while looking after the two. Sooner or later, this place would be swarming with the royal Dragoon forces - looking to get a grasp on what happened.

Cordelia's suggestion hung in the air, a practical beacon amidst the emotional maelstrom. Halston, his dark skin a stark contrast to the marble floor, moved towards Eira, his red eyes meeting hers. He extended a hand, a silent offer of support and a shared responsibility for the children - even the one that wasn't his.

With a heavy heart, Eira nodded, acknowledging Cordelia's suggestion. She gently kept cradling Caliste, careful not to wake her. Halston, in turn took a light cradling hold of Athan, the young heir to the Dukedom, into his arms with a tenderness that belied his strong build. Eira then reached out, her fingers slipping into Halston's waiting hand, finding a moment of solace in the warmth of his grip.

The quartet made their way through the now silent halls of the ducal estate, the grandeur that once filled the space now replaced with an eerie stillness. Servants and courtiers alike watched with bated breath as they passed, their expressions a mixture of fear and hope. The weight of their gaze was a tangible thing, pressing down upon them as they moved towards the exit.

Each of them took flight back to the academy as dusk approached. Upon landing in the courtyard, a familiar face met Eira. A tall woman with short white hair and blue eyes. Kuina's older sister Aeirth Sato had seated herself on a bench. Her fists clenched against her forehead, anger, pain, with uncertainty could be read from her unstable aura alone. Next to Aeirth were Eira's younger, twin, human siblings Sage and Soyer.

"What... what are you doing here auntie... why are they here with you?"

Eira asked, trepidation in her tone.

"I can't... I can't watch over them."

Aeirth's blue eyes lifted from the ground to meet Eira's questioning gaze. Her voice, when she spoke, was laced with a raw edge that betrayed her inner turmoil.

"I'm here because... because someone needs to be strong for them."

She gestured towards Sage and Soyer, who were uncharacteristically quiet, their green eyes wide with confusion and fear.

"Your parents... they've left on a mission. A dangerous one."

Aeirth paused for a moment, letting her words sink in.

"They... haven't returned for a couple weeks now."

Aeirth's words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the perilous life that adventurers led - even ex-adventurers if the orders were dire enough. Eira's grip on Caliste tightened slightly, the little girl stirring in her sleep but not waking. Halston, still holding Athan, stepped closer to Eira, his presence a silent pillar of support.

Aeirth stood from the bench, her tall figure casting a long shadow in the fading light. Her eyes, the same piercing blue as Kuina's, held a steely resolve as she addressed Eira and Halston.

"I know this is a lot to ask."

She began, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

"But could you... watch over Sage and Soyer for a while?"

Eira was silent, her eye colour borderlining off of a darkened shade of red with this unexpected news. Slight tremors shook her body after seeing her brother disappear, and now faced with the idea of her parents missing in action...

"Why... why me... why can't..."

A damn was breaking inside, one she had strongly layered brick by brick. She was stuck watching it crack under the intense weight from the pressure building behind it.

Aeirth stepped forward to Eira, placing her calloused hand over her shoulder. Giving her fairy niece a firm squeeze before peering into her eyes.

"I need you to watch over them, so I can search for your parents. I can't do that while watching over them. It's safer for them here with you."

Aeirth stated, refusing the thought of taking them to Thaline - commander of the Dragoon forces and youngest sister of the three.

Aeirth's plea resonated in the quiet courtyard, her words a testament to the gravity of the situation. Eira's gaze shifted from Aeirth to the twins, Sage and Soyer. They clung to each other, their innocent faces etched with worry and the beginnings of understanding that something was very wrong.

Halston stepped forward, his deep voice breaking the silence.

"We'll take care of them, Aeirth. You focus on finding Kuina and Lael."

His words were firm, a quiet promise hanging in the air. He turned to Eira, his red eyes meeting hers, a silent question lingering between them. Would she agree to this?

"If that's the case..."

She approached her younger twin siblings. Both sporting bright green eyes and scarlet red hair, both looked up at their elder adoptive sister with uncertainty. This was their first time meeting her after all. Eira knelt down on her knees. It was a silent acknowledgement, one that was eating away at her heart.

"Please... please find them, whatever it takes auntie."

Eira muttered, glancing up at the older woman.

Aeirth nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Thank you, Eira."

She said, her voice choked with emotion. She turned to leave, her figure soon swallowed by the encroaching darkness of the evening. The courtyard fell into a solemn silence, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves in the wind.

As Aeirth's figure disappeared into the night, Eira found herself standing in the dimming light of the courtyard, the weight of her new responsibility settling heavily upon her shoulders. She turned to face Sage and Soyer, their young faces a mirror of apprehension and uncertainty. Halston, still holding Athan, moved to stand beside Eira, his presence a comforting constant amidst the turmoil.

"Our dorm room... it's too small to support all of us, but it'll have to do for now... come you two."

With a determined nod, Eira led the way towards the dormitories of Ad Laera, her footsteps echoing in the quiet evening. Sage and Soyer followed closely behind, their small hands clutching at each other as they navigated the foreign environment. Halston trailed behind, ensuring the path was clear for the children, his gaze vigilant and protective.

The group made their way through the winding paths of the academy, the ancient stone buildings rising like sentinels against the twilight sky. The sounds of the day had faded, replaced by the soft chorus of nocturnal creatures. Eira's wings flickered with a faint luminescence, casting an ethereal glow that illuminated their path.

Upon reaching the dormitories, Eira fumbled with her keys, the metallic jingle sounding loud in the stillness of the night. She pushed open the door to reveal a modest room, its size indeed a challenge for the newly expanded household. Shelves lined with magical tomes and artifacts consumed one wall. a large bed pressed against the back wall with a crib next to it. Light furniture from single chairs and tables were scattered about. A small bathroom was blocked off with a wooden door closing it from view.

Eira pursed her lips as she approached the crib. Caliste would have to share this space with Athan. She lay her daughter down comfortably with part of the blanket curling up on her. Her voice filled the room, a gentle whisper in the quiet.

"You both will have the bed for the meantime."

She instructed Sage and Soyer, her blue eyes softening as she looked at them. The twins nodded, their expressions a mix of apprehension and curiosity as they took in their new surroundings.

Eira moved towards the large bed, pulling back the covers to reveal crisp, clean sheets. Sage and Soyer hesitantly approached, their small frames dwarfed by the size of the bed. With a little help from Eira, they climbed onto the mattress, their eyes wide as they sank into the soft cushioning. Eira tucked them in, her movements careful and precise, ensuring they were comfortable and secure.

Having settled the twins into bed, Eira turned her attention to the crib where Caliste lay nestled under a part of the blanket, her tiny form peaceful in sleep. Halston carefully placed Athan beside his cousin, the young heir stirring slightly before settling back into slumber. Eira's gaze lingered on the sleeping children, a protective instinct flaring within her.

With the children tucked in and the room bathed in the soft glow of Eira's wings, the silence of the night settled over the dormitory room. Eira stepped back, surveying the new sleeping arrangements. The room, though cramped, was filled with a sense of warmth and safety that she had provided for her siblings and children.

Eira sat in one of the single chairs, wrapping her arms around her own legs. A simple cast of illuminating butterflies began flying in the room. The candles blown out for the night letting them soothe her sibling twins to sleep.

"I have four more years of schooling... how is this going to be possible..."

Eira's voice trailed off into the quiet room, her words a whisper lost in the soft rustling of the butterfly wings. The luminous creatures danced around the room, casting gentle, flickering light upon the sleeping forms of Sage, Soyer, Caliste, and Athan. The darkness of the room seemed to embrace the soft glow, creating a serene, dreamlike ambiance.

As the illuminating butterflies continued their soothing dance, Halston moved towards Eira, his steps silent on the stone floor. He pulled another chair close to hers, the legs scraping softly against the ground. Sitting down, he reached out, his hand finding hers in the dim light. His red eyes met hers, a silent promise of support reflected within their depths.

"I am here for you - do not worry."

Halston murmured, lifting his other hand to caress her cheek before leaning in to press his lips onto hers in hopes of providing some sort of comforting distraction.

Halston's words hung in the air, a tangible reassurance that Eira was not alone in this. His touch on her cheek was gentle, a soothing caress that spoke volumes of his unwavering support. As their lips met, the room seemed to fade into the background, the weight of their circumstances momentarily forgotten in the warmth of the connection between them.

Halston's arms encircled Eira as she shifted onto his lap, his embrace a steady refuge amidst the turmoil. His fingers traced soothing patterns on her back, a silent testament to his unwavering commitment. The room, filled with the soft glow of the butterflies and the gentle rhythm of the children's breathing, seemed to hold its breath, enveloped in the tender moment shared between Eira and Halston.

"I always planned to take you as my woman - my wife, one day. Having your kin here relying on me makes this decision all the more easier for me to make. I shall leave the academy. I think it's time I found an actual job to support you and Caliste... as well as the others."

He murmured softly.

"You shouldn't have to leave.. My siblings, my nephew... they aren't your responsibility..."

Eira pursed her lips, her blue eyes shifting into a soft lavender hue reflecting her sadness.

"What about your parents? What do you think they'd say to this?"

"Mother and father always knew I wouldn't stay the ten year course at the academy. I've learned more than enough to hold my own out in the real world and find work."

Halston ensured her, his voice was steady, his gaze unwavering as he spoke. His hands moved to frame Eira's face, his thumbs brushing away the remnants of her tears.

Halston's lips met Eira's once more, the small smile on his lips lending a touch of lightness to the tender moment. His embrace tightened around her, a silent affirmation of his commitment and love. The kiss was a promise, a vow of his unwavering support through the challenges that lay ahead.

Halston drew back from the kiss, his gaze locking with Eira's. With a serious expression, he reached into his pocket, producing a small, velvet box. The room's ambient light from the glowing butterflies reflected off the polished surface of the box, casting a soft sheen. Halston's hands, steady and sure, opened the box to reveal a ring, its simple yet elegant design a perfect symbol of his intentions.

With the ring held delicately between his fingers, Halston's voice filled the room, a soft reverence in his tone.

"Eira, from the moment I imprinted on you, I knew my life was forever intertwined with yours. The journey we've embarked on, the family we're nurturing, all point towards a future I wish to share with you, not as imprinted mates, but as husband and wife."

Halston's gaze held Eira's, the depth of his feelings reflected in his crimson eyes.

"Eira, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

He asked, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment.

Eira's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, reflecting the glow of the butterflies that continued to flutter around the room. Her lips parted in a soft gasp, and she nodded, a small smile gracing her features. Reaching out, she took the ring from the box, her fingers brushing against Halston's in a silent affirmation of her acceptance. With a trembling hand, Eira slipped the ring onto her finger, the metal cool against her skin. The sight of the ring, now in its rightful place, seemed to solidify the bond between them. Halston's face lit up with a smile, his relief and joy evident in his expression. He leaned in, capturing Eira's lips in a celebratory kiss, the moment filled with the promise of their future together.

The kiss lingered, a sweet and intimate seal to their newfound commitment. As they parted, Eira's gaze remained locked with Halston's, the depth of their connection resonating in the quiet room. The soft rustle of the butterfly wings seemed to harmonize with the rhythm of their shared breaths, creating a symphony of serenity amidst the chaos of their circumstances.

"I do... I accept Hals..."